Pride or God? The Choice You Face more Than you Realize
Herod isn’t the only one who chose pride over obedience — we all do it in quieter ways.
📖 Scripture:
“The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.”
—Mark 6:26 (NIV)
📚 Bible Study:
Pride or God?
Have you ever made a promise to someone and immediately wished you hadn’t? Or maybe it took a little while—an hour, a day—but eventually you realized, I never should have promised something so great.
I imagine King Herod knew that feeling well.
Scripture tells us the story. Herod had been entertaining guests when Herodias’s daughter danced before him. Pleased, he made a rash vow in front of everyone: “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”
In his mind, he was probably picturing something materialistic—a jewel, a piece of land, maybe even wealth. But when she returned with her request, it wasn’t treasure she wanted. It was John the Baptist’s head.
I can’t imagine the sinking in Herod’s stomach in that moment. The way his face must have paled. The way the laughter in the room must have stilled into silence as the weight of her request hung in the air.
He had promised. He had done it publicly. If he went back on his word, he would look like a fool in front of all his guests. But if he kept his word, he would spill the blood of a righteous man.
And Herod chose pride.
“The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.”
(Mark 6:26)
It’s easy to judge him, isn’t it?
I would never do that. I would never take someone’s life just to save face.
But when I quiet my heart, God whispers back: No, maybe not. But you do harm in other ways.
I don’t need a platter to carry someone’s head to wound another soul. My words have been sharp enough. My silence, cold enough. My reactions, quick enough to cut someone down.
I’ve chosen the comfort of impressing others over the conviction of serving God. I’ve let pride pull me into saying things I wish I hadn’t. I’ve let fear of looking foolish keep me from doing what I knew was right.
And while the cost might not be a man’s life—it still costs. It costs trust. It costs love. It costs the reflection of Christ in me.
The truth is, Herod’s story isn’t so far removed from ours.
Every day, we stand in situations where we must choose: pride or God. Pleasing people or obeying Him. Saving face or saving faith.
And though the choice is rarely easy, it is always clear: Choose God.
Because pride may keep us safe in the eyes of people for a moment—but it will cost us so much more in the eyes of eternity.
💬 Reflection:
Pride rarely announces itself loudly — it slips in through small compromises, quiet fears, and the desire to be seen favorably by others. What happened with Herod shows us how dangerous it can be when our need to impress people outweighs our desire to honor God.
Real discipleship costs something — but pride will cost you far more.
❓ A Question for You:
Where in your life are you more afraid of disappointing people than disappointing God?
🙏 Prayer:
Lord, help me recognize when my pride is speaking louder than Your voice. Give me courage to choose obedience over approval, conviction over comfort, and faith over fear. Strip away the parts of me that seek to please people more than You, and fill me with a heart that chooses You every time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
🪜 Practical Step:
Before responding to a difficult situation today, pause and ask:
“Am I choosing pride, or am I choosing God?”
Let that question guide your tone, your reaction, and your choices.
📨 Invite a Friend:
If this message encouraged you, forward it to someone who needs the reminder: choose God over pride.
